Hubbard's Suspension From Men's Basketball Program Lifted After Academic Progress

Liberty University head men's basketball coach Randy Dunton has announced the academic suspension for junior forward Damien Hubbard has been lifted based upon Hubbard's recent progress in the classroom.

"Damien responded to the discipline with humility and determination," said Dunton. "My decision to reinstate Damien to the team was based upon his decision to recommitment himself to the academic process, our program and the University."

On April 20, Dunton announced that Hubbard had been suspended indefinitely for violating the team's academic policies.

"Damien demonstrated a new attitude toward his academics," commented Buck Romero, the program's academic coordinator. "He continues to improve as a student-athlete and his academic success this semester was the fruit of his hard work and focus."

"Damien better understands the meaning of discipline. Hebrews 12:11 states that ‘discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.' I look forward to seeing the continued growth of Damien Hubbard as a person."

In his first year with the program after transferring from Frederick Community College, Hubbard ranked third on the team this season as he averaged 8.7 points per game, while leading the team by averaging 5.6 rebounds per game.

"During my suspension, I learned that I in fact let my team down," remarked Hubbard. "Without me being there, my teammates had to make adjustments. The coaching staff also had to adjust and I felt like I let them down as a rising senior."

"Finally, my suspension hurt Liberty basketball as a whole as people saw the release on the web site and it painted a negative picture on the program," continued Hubbard. "Hopefully, my teammates have learned a lesson from my mistakes and we can now move on as a team."